In my efforts to Attack My Stash this year (use up 75% of the yarn in my home by the end of 2020), I have creatively looked for ways to use up my yarn. I originally purchased this colorway (Ivory Tweed) Yarnspirations Bernat Blanket Tweeds yarn because I immediately saw potential for a snowy owl like Hedwig from Harry Potter. After sitting in my stash for about a year, I finally went ahead and made a giant, squishy owl, and this pillow was born! I used my entire skein of yarn up (stash-busting for the win) and got a beautiful pillow to add to my nursery.
You can learn more about my goal to use up the majority of my yarn this year here, as well as the latest update of my progress in this goal here.
Materials
- 8.0 mm hook
- Approximately 250 yards of super bulky yarn total (220 yards for the pillow base and small amounts for the eyes and beak). I used exactly one skein of Yarnspirations Bernat Blanket Tweeds and some scrap balls of yarn for the other pieces.
- Polyfil stuffing or stuffing of your choice
- Tapestry needle
My pillow measured approximately 15 inches tall, 14 inches wide, and 12 inches deep (from front to back). As with any amigurumi project, a smaller hook size is used for the yarn weight than typically called for to make the stitches tight and prevent stuffing from showing through the stitches. The size of your pillow, as well as the exact amount of yardage you use, will depend upon your tension.
Abbreviations
YO- yarn over
SC- single crochet
Inc- increase
SS- slip stitch
St- stitch
FO- fasten off
Pillow Base
Round 1: 6 SC in MC (6)
Round 2: Inc in each st (12)
Round 3: [Inc, SC] x6 (18)
Round 4: [SC, Inc, SC] x6 (24)
Round 5: [Inc, 3 SC] x6 (30)
Round 6: [2 SC, Inc, 2 SC] x6 (36)
Round 7: [Inc, 5 SC] x6 (42)
Round 8: [3 SC, Inc, 3 SC] x6 (48)
Round 9: [Inc, 7 SC] x6 (54)
Round 10: [4 SC, Inc, 4 SC] x6 (60)
Round 11: [Inc, 9 SC] x6 (66)
Round 12: SC in each st around (66)
Rounds 13-38 (26 rows): Repeat Round 12 (66)
I worked through my whole skein of yarn until I only had a yard or so left. If you have more or less yarn, you can alter how many rounds you crochet.
Stuff the pillow as much as you can. Sandwich the two sides of the cylinder together with your hook at the right corner. SS the front and back sides of the pillow together all the way across, stuffing the pillow as you close it up. FO, weave in ends.
Owl Eyes
With white yarn- make 2
Round 1: 6 SC in MC (6)
Round 2: Inc in each st (12)
Round 3: [Inc, SC] x6 (18)
Round 4: [SC, Inc, SC] x6 (24)
FO, leave long tail for sewing.
With black yarn- make 2
Round 1: 6 SC in MC (6)
Round 2: Inc in each st (12)
FO, leave long tail for sewing.
Sew one black circle to the top of one white circle. Repeat with the other black and white circles to make the other eye. Use the tail from the white circle to sew each eye onto the pillow between Rounds 23 and 30 approximately 6 st apart.
Owl Beak
This piece is worked flat, in rows.
With beak color
Row 1: Ch 3, SC in 2nd Ch from hook, SC in last st, Ch 1, turn (2)
Row 2: Inc in 1st st, SC across, Ch 1, turn (3)
Rows 3-5 (3 rows): Repeat Row 2 (6)
FO, leave long tail for sewing.
Attach the beak centered between the eyes between Rounds 17-24.
This giant squishy pillow instantly became a favorite piece of decor in my nursery. This pattern is a great way to use up your stash yarn and make a quick and adorable gift. Share your version with me on Instagram @crowchetcreations or through the hashtag #crowchetcreations. I would love to see your cute recreations!
XO, Emily
